The GnATTERbox

Want to talk about Sir Arthur Heywood's 15" gauge railways? About modern day minimum gauge lines? Have you found a minimum gauge line you've not seen mentioned on the website? Want directions to one of the railways that is mentioned? Whatever your interest in real minimum gauge lines, post your questions (and answer other modellers' questions) here.

Today's Statfold Barn Railway open day was, as usual, an excellent day out. Something like 15 two foot gauge locos in steam and the railbus - but what has this to do with minimum gauge railways I hear you ask. This was lurking in the Grain Store:

Jack is Hunslet works number 684 of 1898 and normally lives at Armley Mills Industrial Museum in Leeds, so what it is doing just outside Tamworth I do not know. As the dome cover and steam turret have been taken off I am guessing that the Statfold Barn engineering team are undertaking a preliminary assessment of the boiler for a possible return to steam.It is an 18 inch gauge loco so just about qualifies for minimum gauge. Having looked between the frames there does not seem to be anything to prevent the wheels being 3 inches closer together so its seriously tempting to build a 1:24 version. Just need some time........

I wish you had not posted those links - its got the 'rubber gauger' in me all excited There is some more footage of the Hunslet in action outdoors at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCCGNm9-A6wI'm coming over all Sand Hutton - must go and lie down until the large scale urges wear off, not sure next weekend's firing turns on the FR will cure it

I was at the Statfold Barn open day yesterday and found that Jack was still there. This time it was outside, and some track has been laid so it looks like the loco will eventually be restored to operational condition. Maybe in the next year or so?

Jack was on the 18 inch gauge spur from the dual gauge track shared with the restored Burton and Ashby tram.

In case you are wondering about the lack of overhead wires the tram has been converted to battery operation.The Statfold Barn open days just get better and better; there were 20 locos in steam yesterday, plus old cars and lorries -

Thanks for your report Steve. Probably the best March event so far, and a beautiful day.

JACK and the B&A tram share something in common - JACK worked at the clay works of John Knowles (Wooden Box) Ltd in Woodville, Derbyshire, through which the B&A passed on its route from Burton in Staffordshire to Ashby in Leicestershire - so it is good to see them together.

If you or any other Gnatterboxers are ever at Statfold in the future please say "hello" - I'm the Guards' Inspector so can usually be found out on a train or assisting on the platform.